Parade continues the tradition of saying thank you

Joan Hellyer @BCCTintheknow

Tuesday

May 31, 2011 at 12:01 AMMay 31, 2011 at 5:40 AM

Yardley - It has become a Memorial Day tradition for Bob and Lindsey O'Neill in recent years.

The father and daughter team begin the day taking in the Morrisville Memorial Day parade. Then the Falls residents ride their bikes up to the Lower Makefield-Yardley border to "honor our veterans" along the parade route that winds its way through the borough.

"It's a great turnout," Bob O'Neill said, as a series of first responders in the Yardley parade rolled past him and his daughter Monday afternoon. "It's good to see."

Lindsey, a Pennsbury graduate who just finished her freshman year at Penn State, said it is their way of saying thank you to military personnel and their families.

"I hope they know we appreciate it. We appreciate their sacrifice," she said.

The American Legion Knowles-Doyle Post No. 317 teamed up the Yardley VFW Post 6393 to host the parade that included youth groups, marching bands and local dignitaries.

It began in the Maplevale section of Lower Makefield and continued south down Main Street through Yardley. It ended at the American Legion post in Yardley, where participants paid tribute to those who have paid the ultimate sacrifice.

"The pursuit of life, liberty and happiness is a precious gift," guest speaker Army Col. Jonathan Oline said.

Oline, a physician from Philadelphia, joined the Army after the 2001 terrorist attacks and served in Iraq from 2007 to 2008. He encouraged those at the memorial service to acknowledge others who have provided for them.

"No matter how much you have in life you can never be happy unless you are thankful," Oline said.

The Yardley parade was the second parade the Pennsbury High School marching band participated in over the Memorial Day holiday weekend. The band also marched in the Falls parade on Sunday.

"It just helps us share what the true meaning of Memorial Day is," drum major Will Sarver, 18, a Pennsbury senior, said.

Both parade days were hot and steamy, but it was important to participate in the events, band captain Sean Bailey said. "It's great to give to the community that does a lot for us," Sean, 17, a Pennsbury senior said.

Joan Hellyer can be reached at 215-949-4048 or jhellyer@phillyBurbs.com Follow Joan on Twitter at twitter.com/BCCTintheknow

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